Weekend Wisdom, November 17th, 2024
Still, Break Bread & Give Thanks for This Inheritance
By Amberly Boerschinger, Director of Communications and Technology
“Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near.” Mark 13: 28-29
Here in the northern hemisphere, our liturgical year moves to a close just as our sun reaches its shortest days. As much as my chemical composition may not love the darkening days, my soul knows their purpose and craves this stilling. Though the month started with a flurry of sound and fury, November is traditionally a stilling month. Most harvest is in, the school year is underway, and the temperatures start to turn. It is a moment when we can almost hear a collective breath as we remember our loved ones and begin to count our blessings. November is the month of wind and rain and scarves. November is the month of first fires and puppy snuggles. November is the month I welcomed my first child into the world. My body, mind and soul know the signs of these times.
It strikes me that this quieting and stilling is also a natural part of our lives of discipleship. As we saw in last weekend’s Gospel, there is a point in some discipleship journeys where words of love and sacrifice have been said and must give way to radical acts of mercy and revolutionary love – like the widow’s coins. What good is the Good News if less and less are able to hear it? But what happens when the Word takes on flesh, like it did in Bethlehem all those years ago, but now it’s our beautiful hands and feet, our love and sacrifice lived in the weary world. Ancient words of mercy can be denied and ignored, but an act of mercy can only be experienced.
At our Monday morning Bible study, a friend said that she regularly has to remind her children that our salvation is not found in the merit (or size) of our actions, but the mercy of our Savior. Think not of the size or piety of your faith, but the size of your Savior’s love. Act from His words and love, not your own, and you will never be without mercy and compassion to share.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day or hour, no one knows.” Mark 13: 31-32
Let us still, break bread, and give thanks. Stop for a moment and think about that: Give – thanks. Let your life and salvation be given away in thanks.
